Sadly, in most high school [and even some college] literature texts, the largest minority by far is the women writers. Though there were many female writers in the nineteenth century, the social climate was not conducive to their success. Many wrote under a male pseudonym since female writers were not only not taken seriously, but often not even considered for publishing. Today, many of the eighteenth and nineteenth century women writers have been forgotten. In his survey, The South in American Literature, Jay B. Hubbell identifies one hundred male writers but only five women, justifying the omission by stating, "their writing was generally sentimental and inferior literature."
I say that aint' so...
To include a sampling of great literature written by women authors raised in the South, try the following suggestions or spend some enjoyable evenings researching and reading from the wealth of delightful literature written by but not only for women!
IDEAS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE STUDY OF SOUTHERN WOMEN AUTHORS IN YOUR LANGUAGE ARTS CLASS:
* Assign an author to each student for independent research. Have students present their findings to the class as an oral report, a power-point presentation, an art project, etc.
* Create a one-week lesson plan that "hits the highlights" of some of the most famous women writers. Read some of the poems and short stories in class. Watch a video adaptation of a story on another day. Assign a longer short story as homework [follow with a brief multiple choice "reading quiz"]
***********Lesson Plans:****************
Write a brief introduction to the unit, explaining the historical climate preventing women authors in America from enjoying literary prominence until recent times.
Hand out copies of any poems, short stories, essays, etc. to be read in class. Even if you choose to read some of the selections aloud to the class, most students learn better when they both see the printed page and hear the words spoken. Many like to reread an especially poignant story!
1800's: Kate Chopin biography
"The Awakening"
[my favorite] "Desiree's Baby"
"A Pair of Silk Stockings" Choose one of the short stories above to read and to discuss in class.
late 1800's -- early 1900's: Mary Wilkins Freeman biography
"The Revolt of Mother" excellent video adaptation available
1900's: Katherine Porter biography
"The Jilting of Granny Weatherall" also available on video
1900's: Shirley Jackson biography
"The Lottery"
[my favorite] from The Lottery and Other Stories "Charles"
I say that aint' so...
To include a sampling of great literature written by women authors raised in the South, try the following suggestions or spend some enjoyable evenings researching and reading from the wealth of delightful literature written by but not only for women!
IDEAS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE STUDY OF SOUTHERN WOMEN AUTHORS IN YOUR LANGUAGE ARTS CLASS:
* Assign an author to each student for independent research. Have students present their findings to the class as an oral report, a power-point presentation, an art project, etc.
* Create a one-week lesson plan that "hits the highlights" of some of the most famous women writers. Read some of the poems and short stories in class. Watch a video adaptation of a story on another day. Assign a longer short story as homework [follow with a brief multiple choice "reading quiz"]
***********Lesson Plans:****************
Write a brief introduction to the unit, explaining the historical climate preventing women authors in America from enjoying literary prominence until recent times.
Hand out copies of any poems, short stories, essays, etc. to be read in class. Even if you choose to read some of the selections aloud to the class, most students learn better when they both see the printed page and hear the words spoken. Many like to reread an especially poignant story!
"The Awakening"
[my favorite] "Desiree's Baby"
"A Pair of Silk Stockings" Choose one of the short stories above to read and to discuss in class.
"The Revolt of Mother" excellent video adaptation available
"The Jilting of Granny Weatherall" also available on video
"The Lottery"
[my favorite] from The Lottery and Other Stories "Charles"
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